China to test new Russian S-400 air defense system: Source

China is reportedly set to test fire its advanced Russian-made S-400 missile defense system in the coming days.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a military and diplomatic source with knowledge of the matter told Russia’s TASS news agency on Friday that the first test firing of the newly-acquired interceptor-based system could happen in the end of July or in early August.

"It is planned that in late July-early August the unit of the People's Liberation Army, which underwent training in Russia, will carry out the firing against a simulated ballistic target at a Chinese firing ground," the source said.

The S-400 system, whose full name is the Triumf Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS), is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. The new defense system is capable of downing US F-35 stealth fighters.

China became the first international buyer of Russia’s S-400 Triumf in 2015 as part of $3 billion deal and received the first batch of the missile systems in April.

"It is still unknown when the first S-400 unit will enter the service with the PLA, although a rapid induction, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the test firing, can be expected," the source added.

China will reportedly receive a total of two S-400 regiments and the second regimental set is expected to be delivered by the end of 2018.

According to the source, a control station, a radar station, energy and support equipment, spare parts, various tools and other elements of the S-400 system were included in the first shipment.

Moscow trained a group of Chinese military personnel to operate the S-400 system last year.

ME